Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-24
KILLED HER FATHER.
AVERY ROMANTIC INCIDENT OF TIE
LATE WAR.
How Colonel q. r. fmith Fatheret tnc
Daughter OF One Of His Vic
tins In Battle.

The following touching iacident OF
the late war is from the pen OF the cor
respondent OF the Cincinnati COM
merciai under date of August 2Ota :
The death of Colonel U. Il. Smith,
which took place in New York few
days ago, has brought to light o very
remarkable incident. Miss Khett Ny
ron, the principal figure in the drama, -
a personal friend of your corresponds
ent, and from her the following iactS
were obtained. with permission for their
publication: Hayne Myron, the father
of the young lady, was planter IN
south Carolina. His homo was typIcai
South Carolina home-spaciouS and
hospitable, surrounded by broad acres
and faithful slaves His family consisted
OF his wife and only child-Rhett--
who was the idol of the fatherand the pet
of the plantation. At the breaking out
of the war Hayne Myron joined "A
volunteer South Carolina regiment.
Before leaving home he had painted
miniature picture of his little gIrl,
which he incased in a locket, saying;
"My darling, this will be papa's shield
when he is in danger and his sunshine
when he rests" and he smothered the
face and sunny head with kisses and
hurried away with eyes filled with tears
and an aching heart. Six months later
Havne Myron was killed in a skirmlsh
in Virginia while in close combat by
Federal officer. Only few words were
sent to the old home to tell the sal
story.
Turing General Sherman's invasion
in South Carolina the Myron home
stead was destroyed, but the widowand
daughter continued to live on the plan
tation in an clubhouse, and were sup
ported by the rents from the lands.
Two wears ago Mrs Myron died, and
Miss Myron, through the influence OF
friends, obtained position as gov
,rness III the family Of Colonel Y. Il.
Smith. in New York. She stated to
me that her first meeting with Colonel
smith was very peculiar that when
his wife introduced her, saying, "Thls
is our new goyerness from South Caro-
lima. Miss Rhett Myron," his face
turned deadly pale, and as he mechanl-
cally extended his hand to her he made
an effort to speak, but his lips seemed
sealed. Later his manner became more
cordial and unrcstrained. and he treat
ed her more as an honored guest than
a salaried teacher. He insisted on pay
ing her four times the amount she
charged and made her dutiesve very light.
One evening she was sitting in the
family circle, telling of her past life
down in South Cnrolina-Of the large
old house, with its twenty columns, and
of the dusky slaves who called her
their little queen " as they carried her
en- their shoulders through the cotton
fields. She never bad mentioned her
fathers name before, but she spoke OF
him. how handsome and sad ne looked
on that last day-how he took her
picture, and all he said to her at part
| ing. She states that at the mention OF
| her father Colonel Smith seemed aGl-
tatod, and suddenly LETT the room. 1t
was all so strange then, she said, but
LOW it seems so plain.
Six weeks ago Colonel Smith was
taken very i'll, and when he realized
| that death was inevitable he requested
to see Miss Myron.
| She says that as she neared the bed
| of the dying man she saw that he held
conyulsively something in one hand as
he extended the other TO her, exclalm-
ing: "Come quick, Rhett Myron, and
forgive me Oh, can you forgive me
IL was ! who killed your father. These
HANDS are red with his blood. God
has pardoned me, but l cannot die till
YOU forgive me. Take this. 1t wason
Your part nt's dying heart. 1t IS your
face, and on it is your name and his.
Say it is not too late-you will not let
me die with ycur orphan means echo
ing over my graye?'
The poor elrl caught his hands III
hers and only could say, "Oh sir, you
were both soldiers ! freely forgive
YOU, and she fell uncons. ious upon the
floor. When she recovered all was
over. The slayer of her father and the
Airdcat friend OF her life Was dead.
| The reading Of Colonel Smiths will
revealed the fact that he bequeateed to
Hiss Nyron the generous sum OF SD.
eco; also, the request that she would
make her home as long as she desired
with his wife and children as a member
If the household.
I have seen the little picture which
was the key that unlocked the mystery
Of Bhett Myron's life. 1t Is a sweet
child face, in & cloud of azure and gold
Across the locket are traced the names
# the father and child, while on the
faded plush case are drops Of blood.
This is certainly the most remarkable
incident that it has ever been the priyi
lege of your correspondent to record.